Goodbye

By consumeristcareyOctober 13, 2008

After nearly two years and 1,221 posts, it’s time to hang up my fedora and say goodbye.

I have been a Consumerist reader from the start. The site was such a poignant realization that consumers didn’t need to be a deprecated race, ignored and abused by corporations who wanted us only to spread our wallets and beg for more. This was our safe space, the dojo where we could train to fight back.

I jumped at the opportunity to join the team, happy just to be able to contribute to such extraordinary work. When I nervously agreed to let Ben march me into IDT, I never expected to emerge with an offer to be the site’s weekend editor.

Writing for The Consumerist has been a pleasure, not a job. Along the way, I even started looking forward to calling customer service. The tips we write about day in and day out actually work, and once you master them, you will never again fear any company.

It has been amazing to watch the site generate actual results. Posts are now inevitably followed by the pitter-patter of public relations footsteps, ever-eager to “expeditiously resolve this isolated incident.” Every serious company now needs to scrunch their face up against our window to listen in on our conversation. Some are starting to realize that investing in customer service is a win-win proposition, but for those that don’t, this site remains the best place to teach consumers how to reach the executive suite, grab the ear of the C.E.O., and demand the service they are paying for, and the respect they deserve.

I have been most surprised by the personalresponses from the smaller companies and independent business we’ve written about, the ones who have responded in such a heartfelt way that you’d think you accidentally spat on your neighbor. Their quick and direct replies show that nothing will ever beat person-to-person service unhampered by rigid policies and quality control supervisors.

Still, there is so much more work to be done. Though I’m especially proud of starting Above and Beyond, you would be shocked how many tips arrive in our tipbox heralding supposedly exemplary service that read: “my brand new expensive product fell apart but the company replaced it!” The bar of customer service has clearly been set far too low for far too long, and it’s been beyond rewarding to be part of the struggle to nudge it ever higher.

I’ve worked for the government and I’ve worked with non-profits, but writing for The Consumerist has been the most meaningful and downright effective work I’ve yet to do. I’ll never be able to thank Ben enough for trusting me to write the site.

So where do I go from here? Who knows… The Consumerist has been my home for almost two years. I will keep writing about consumer issues, but until I know more, you can follow me at carey-on.tumblr.com. For now, I’ll rejoin the ranks of loyal readers, eager to see what Ben and Meghann have planned for the future.

Sorry to see you go, Carey. Thanks for all the great posts you’ve made over the past two years, and here’s hoping you enjoy whatever you do next as much as you enjoyed posting for the consumerist. We’ll miss you!

You hold a special place in my heart and mind thanks to your use of Adderall as a verb. You, as well as your other compatriot who is being let go thanks to, in my opinion, a horrible decision, will be missed. Nothing I could put into words could express how much I have enjoyed your posts.

gc3160thtuk says you got your humor in my sarcasm and you say you got your sarcasm in my humorsays:

We’ve all known this day was coming since the layoffs were first posted. What we didn’t know, however, was that you would spend the time between producing some of the best consumer advocacy articles many of us have read anywhere. Ever. This kind of hard work and dedication shows a level of professional integrity that should prove absolutely invaluable to whoever is lucky enough to be your next employer. Best of luck, and many thanks. Truly “Above and Beyond”.

Your articles and information have done all Consumerist readers a great service. It’s a shame to see you go, but you’ll doubtless go on to greener pastures. Good luck in your ventures…I’ll be reading your blog.

I would continue to point out things about your great posts and yada yada yada. But I’d be lying. I read this site because I have always found you and the gay to be lookers. Ben and Meaghann…ehh not so much. But srsly. It’s not fair! Can’t they axe people from all those other Gawker sites I don’t care about? And also, if you move to Houston I can get you a sweet deal at the Box Factory I work at. Ever wonder how boxes are made? It’s more complicated than you think. Okay, again I am bull-shitting. It’s pretty easy to make the boxes. But not all Texans are dumb rednecks. I am a proud democratic sodomite. Remember their are steers AND queers here. The steers just seem to get more of the attention. Which frankly isn’t fair. I spend an hour everyday putting on makeup, and the crazy lazy-eyed Vietnam Vet that works on the box line with me never notices. Or he doesn’t seem to notice at least. I guess I cannot tell for sure. Anyway, I forgot I was telling you good-bye.

Best of luck, Carey. Transitions come, some voluntarily, some not so. You’ll come out of it a better person with real experience, knowing that you’ve done a lot of good for the cause represented here. Cheers!

I have only been reading for about 2-3 months, but I love your site. I check it as much as I check my email. I am sad to see this site lose several writers in a couple weeks. I can’t imagine that your readership has been going down.

carey, you’re wonderful! thank you so much for all that you do … i’ll definitely follow you on your other site and i wish nothing but the best for you =) it’s certainly a loss for us consumerist addicts …